Delivery trucks make up a big part of any commute, whether it is an Amazon truck, FedEx, or USPS vehicle. What do you do if you’re in an accident with a delivery truck, suffering injuries and financial loss?
Your priority after a delivery truck accident is to get medical care, document what happened to you, and then pursue legal guidance from a New Orleans delivery truck accident lawyer with experience in these cases.
What to Do Right After a Delivery Truck Accident
Victims of a delivery truck accident need to act quickly to protect themselves. Know what you should do in these situations to protect your health and right to compensation. Follow these tips:
- Move out of the way of traffic. If you are at risk of being hit again, leave your vehicle. If it is safe to do so, check on others.
- Call 911. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and guidance to get care. Your focus should always be on protecting your health.
- Go to the hospital. In situations of serious injury, do not wait to go to the hospital for care. Ensure you are fully checked out. This helps document your injuries.
- Document what occurred. In situations where you are not facing life-threatening injuries, gather data from the accident. That could include the names and contact information of all involved, witness statements, and photos of the area.
- File a police report. This report should outline all the facts about the case. Do not take blame or apologize for what happened.
Limit the amount of communication that you have with the delivery truck driver. Your goal is to preserve your case and to do that, you cannot say anything that could later be used against you. Then, call a New Orleans truck accident lawyer with experience fighting delivery truck insurance companies.
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(504) 500-1111Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents
Determining the underlying cause of a delivery truck accident helps show fault. These trucks often dart around the city all day long, and the cause of accidents could be a number of factors. Some of the most common causes include:
- Careless driving, such as not looking before pulling out
- Speeding
- Distracted driving due to app or phone use
- Intoxicated driving
- Lack of visibility
- Changing lanes without the right of way
The electronic police report may document some of these losses. Other times, your attorney will investigate what occurred and build your case around it. That could help create a strong, highly effective claim for you once you are ready to pursue compensation for your losses.
Determining Fault in a Delivery Truck Accident
The police and insurance companies determine the fault of an accident like this. Their objective is to determine who should pay for the losses. Yet, this information is not always comprehensive or accurate, as others may be responsible beyond a single party.
- The delivery truck driver: This person is responsible for speeding and reckless driving. If they were under the influence of substances or being aggressive behind the wheel, the driver is often responsible.
- The company employing the driver: This could be a large delivery company like FedEx or Amazon. If the driver lacks the training or skills to do the job, then seeking out legal action against the delivery company could be critical.
- The truck owner: In some situations, the company leases the truck from a third party. In these cases, the owner may be responsible for maintenance issues with the vehicle.
Other parties could be responsible as well. That may include the city in situations of unsafe conditions or the company that put a defective tire onto the delivery truck that blew out and caused the accident. Your delivery truck accident attorney will examine all areas of fault and provide clarity on what your rights are.
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(504) 500-1111Documenting Your Injuries and Losses
Before you can file a claim against the delivery truck accident, it is critical to document all of your losses. This goes beyond your medical bills in many situations.
With the help of your New Orleans personal injury lawyer, you can explore all of the ways this accident impacted your health and well-being and seek a claim comprehensive enough to cover all of your losses, including:
- Medical costs: Immediate medical care, ongoing medical care, medications, and other costs to protect your life and well-being.
- Rehabilitation: You may need time in a rehabilitation facility or getting physical therapy at home. Some people also need other forms of rehabilitation, including learning new skills so they can earn a living.
- Lost wages: Any time you miss work due to your injuries could be a documented loss of wages and benefits. In some cases, victims also are unable to go back to work, resulting in diminished earning capacity.
- Property damage: The damage to your vehicle or personal property may not be your focus. However, these are losses owed to you if the delivery truck damages them.
- Pain and suffering: You suffered at the time of the accident and through your recovery. You struggle now with the pain that limits your ability to do the things you enjoy. A monetary value is hard to assign to these losses, but it is still critical.
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish: Many victims of serious delivery truck accidents face emotional trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety.
With your attorney’s guidance, you may be able to recover financial compensation for any documented losses you have. Proving the immediate and long-term implications of your health is critical, and backing it up with evidence is essential.
Your delivery truck accident attorney can help you with these situations.
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(504) 500-1111Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Delivery Truck Accident Attorney Now
At Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, we have the experience you need to fight back against reckless delivery trucks that cause you physical harm and injury. Put us to work for you now by setting up a free consultation and case evaluation.
We do not charge you anything for our services until – and unless- we win your case when determining what to do if I’m in an accident with a delivery truck.
